Foods toxic to dogs — the complete guide

A comprehensive, vet-sourced reference of every common human food that's dangerous to dogs — what it does, the warning signs, and what to do if your dog eats it.

The lethal list — never feed

• Chocolate — theobromine. Dark and baking chocolate worst. Even 1 oz of dark chocolate can cause issues in a 20-lb dog.
• Grapes & raisins — cause acute kidney failure. The toxic dose varies wildly per dog; some dogs die after eating just a few. Includes currants, sultanas.
• Xylitol — artificial sweetener in gum, candy, peanut butter, baked goods, even some toothpaste. Triggers severe hypoglycemia and liver failure within hours.
• Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, scallions — destroy red blood cells (hemolytic anemia). Cooked, raw, powdered — all toxic.
• Macadamia nuts — mechanism unknown but cause weakness, tremors, hyperthermia.
• Caffeine — coffee, tea, energy drinks, supplements. Same mechanism as chocolate.
• Alcohol — even small amounts. Beer, wine, spirits, raw bread dough (yeast ferments to ethanol).
• Raw yeast dough — expands in the stomach AND ferments to alcohol. Double emergency.

Caution list — small amounts maybe okay, but risky

• Avocado — flesh is fine in small amounts; pit is an obstruction hazard.
• Cherries — pit and stem contain cyanide.
• Almonds, walnuts, pecans — high fat (pancreatitis risk) and mold susceptibility.
• Bacon, ham, fatty meats — common pancreatitis triggers.
• Cooked bones — splinter and cause internal damage. Raw bones controversial.
• Cinnamon — small amounts okay; large amounts irritate the mouth and may affect blood sugar.
• Nutmeg — myristicin causes hallucinations and tremors at higher doses.

The most common ER visits (so you know what to watch for)

1. Chocolate — peak is Easter, Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day
2. Grapes/raisins — often from kids' snacks or holiday cookies
3. Xylitol gum — purse-snuffling labs are the classic case
4. Pancreatitis from fatty leftovers — Thanksgiving turkey skin, BBQ scraps
5. Bones — chicken bones from the trash

If your dog ate something toxic — exact steps

1. Don't panic, but act fast. Note the exact substance, brand, and amount. Keep packaging.
2. Call ASPCA Poison Control: 888-426-4435. They have the largest pet toxicity database. The $95 consult fee gets you a case number that your local vet can reference.
3. Don't induce vomiting unless instructed. Some toxins cause more damage coming back up (caustics, sharp objects, hydrocarbons).
4. Get to a vet if recommended. Bring the packaging or a sample of what was eaten.
5. Save vomit/stool — it can help identify substance and quantity.

General warning signs of poisoning

• Vomiting or diarrhea (especially with blood)
• Drooling, panting, restlessness
• Weakness, wobbliness, collapse
• Pale gums (a normal dog's gums are pink)
• Seizures or tremors
• Excessive thirst or urination (kidney signs)
• Unusual behavior — hiding, agitation, confusion

Prevention checklist

• Trash cans with locking lids — top vector for poisoning
• No food on counters or tables when away
• Houseguests briefed on the “no people food” rule
• Purses and bags out of reach (gum, candy, medications)
• Holiday foods kept separate (chocolate, grapes in stuffing, xylitol-baked goods)
• Indoor plants checked against ASPCA list — many common houseplants are toxic too

Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, AKC Canine Health Foundation, Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA Hospitals. Last reviewed January 2025.